Health and wellbeing
Walsall Council marks World Mental Health Day 2024
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Walsall Council is marking World Mental Health Day on 10 October 2024 to encourage everyone to talk about mental health and demonstrate that mental health matters.
This year’s theme on Workplace Mental Health highlights the importance of addressing mental health and wellbeing in the workplace, for the benefit of people, organisations and communities.
The council takes a positive approach to providing a healthy working environment to support staff in maintaining and enhancing their health and wellbeing at work.
Mental Health First Aiders (MHFAs) and Menopause Champions enable staff to talk to someone about their mental health and wellbeing or if they have concerns about someone. A total of 78 MHFAs and 28 Menopause Champions have been trained to date. Both first aiders and champions receive ongoing support and training to keep their knowledge up to date. Mental health and suicide prevention awareness training sessions are also offered to all staff, as well as 24/7 access to the Employee Assistance Programme.
The council, along with partner organisations, also continues to work towards the delivery of its Multi-Agency Mental Wellbeing Strategy (2022-2032), which promotes good mental health for everyone, regardless of age or background and support those who are at greatest risk. Recent activities delivered as part of the strategy include supporting community organisations to deliver mental wellbeing grant funded projects for men, those with lived experience of neurodiversity and young people, distributing 8 Steps to Wellbeing plans in communities and refreshing the Walsall Suicide Prevention Strategy for 2024-29.
“ Workplace mental health is important for everyone, and we’re committed to fostering a supportive environment for both staff and residents. Our Mental Health First Aiders and Menopause Champions play a crucial role in creating a workplace culture where individuals feel comfortable seeking help and support. We encourage our staff to access mental health and wellbeing resources and support as often as possible to ensure they are getting the support they need. “
“ Our ambition as part of We are Walsall 2040 is to ensure people are healthy and live full and active lives.
Mental wellbeing is a priority for all, and we have delivered a number of activities both internally and externally to help improve or maintain people's wellbeing and encourage open conversations about mental health.
We take a No Wrong Door approach to ensure everyone in Walsall gets the support they need at the right time. If you or someone you know is struggling, it is ok to ask for help and there are several local and national services available for you to access. “
For residents seeking external support, Walsall Council encourages individuals to reach out to the following services:
- The Let’s Chat Bus visits communities across Walsall providing support for a wide range of challenges, including financial concerns and debt, employment, housing challenges and fuel crisis. Free 8 Steps to Wellbeing plans are also offered. Visit the Walsall Council website to find out more.
- NHS 111 now has a mental health option for anyone in a crisis. Call NHS 111 and select the mental health option (option 2) to speak to a trained professional in the Black Country. Find out more about urgent help for mental health on the NHS website.
- The Sanctuary Hub in Bloxwich, Walsall is a safe space where you can access support outside of mental health service hours. They are open between Monday and Friday from 6pm to 11pm and Saturday and Sunday from 12pm to 11pm.
ENDS
Notes to editor:
- MHFA England supports workplaces through adapted training and new resources, supporting organisations to look after the mental health of employees. Mental Health First Aiders are accredited and certified by MHFA England.
- The Walsall Multi-Agency Mental Wellbeing Strategy for 2022-2032 takes forward a universal partnership approach to promote good mental health and emotional resilience and prevent mental ill health for all age groups and populations. A bi-monthly update was given at the Health and Wellbeing Board on 19 September 2024. The full paper can be found on CMIS.
- The refreshed Walsall Multi-Agency Suicide Prevention Strategy for 2024-29 takes a broad approach to improve the mental health and wellbeing of Walsall residents, with the ambition of partners being to individually and collectively reduce self-harm and prevent all deaths by suicide in Walsall, offering hope, support and recovery to those experiencing mental distress. Download a copy of the strategy here.
- The council encourages everyone to complete a free wellbeing plan, which focuses on the 8 Steps to Wellbeing: be active, take notice, connect, give something to others, learn something new, hydration for wellbeing, sleep for wellbeing and hope for the future. Download the plan on the Walsall Council website.
- Other support services available for residents to access include Mustard Seed CIC, Samaritans and Walsall Bereavement Support Service.
